Big Meeting

Reach for this book when your family is preparing for a homecoming, a large holiday gathering, or a visit to ancestral roots in the South. It is a perfect selection for children who may feel overwhelmed by many unfamiliar relatives or who are curious about the traditions that bind a community together over generations. The story follows a family's journey to a small town in the South for the annual Big Meeting at the Bethel A.M.E. church, a time of worship, storytelling, and massive communal feasts. Through rhythmic, evocative prose, the book explores themes of belonging, the continuity of history, and the spiritual joy found in shared heritage. It beautifully captures the atmosphere of a Southern summer and the warmth of African American church traditions. Ideal for children ages 4 to 8, this book serves as both a mirror for families with similar traditions and a window for others to see the strength and beauty of the Black church as a pillar of community and identity.